Purdue pilot reflects on his career in the Air Force and at Delta
Greg Etter is proud to be a Boilermaker — and a farmer, an Air Force veteran, a Delta first officer and a father of five. (Photo courtesy of Greg Etter)
Greg Etter is a Delta first officer during the company’s 100th anniversary
When Purdue men’s basketball traveled to compete in the Final Four in 2024, many Boilermakers caught flights to Phoenix to support the team — including pilots themselves.
Greg Etter, a first officer at Delta used his ability to secure the jump seat — an extra space reserved for crew members and authorized personnel — to get to Phoenix. At the airport, he discovered he wasn’t alone. At least eight other pilots were Purdue graduates doing the same thing.
“You don’t have to look far to find a pilot from Purdue,” he says. “It’s a world-class program, and I’m proud to have been a part of it.”
As Delta celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2025, Etter is proud to contribute to the company’s — and his family’s — legacy in flight.
Launching an aeronautics career
Ever since Etter can remember, he’s been cheering on Purdue. He was raised by a long line of alumni and grew up less than a half hour away from West Lafayette. Every year, he and his father had season tickets to athletic events.
Etter’s family influenced his path in many ways beyond introducing him to game days at Ross-Ade Stadium. His father and uncle were both pilots, inspiring him with stories about seeing places all over the globe.
In 10th grade he got a plastic pair of Delta wings — a novelty version of pilots’ prized uniform accessory — and wore them every day as motivation to work for the real thing.
The decision to attend Purdue for its aviation program was natural given both his proximity and family ties to the university. He pursued a degree in what was then called aviation administration while joining the Air Force ROTC (AFROTC).
Being a part of AFROTC was intense, but he found the program to be incredibly motivating. “I got to work with people from all over with different backgrounds and stories,” he says. “All of us were there for one reason: We wanted to serve our country.”
Returning to Purdue to teach
After serving in the U.S. Air Force for over 14 years and completing his first year with Delta Air Lines, Etter returned to West Lafayette full time for a new role: assistant professor of aerospace studies.
Etter had instructed at different levels within the Air Force, primarily pilot training. When an instructor role opened up within Purdue’s AFROTC program, it was an easy decision to apply. The energy that comes with working with young, ambitious trainees is something that makes those kinds of environments especially rewarding.
Teaching and mentoring future Air Force leaders seemed like a great way to give back to both the university and the Air Force. One of the students in his very first class was Ashley Bird.
“I know how lucky I am to have such a prestigious place so close to home,” he says. “I’ve noticed that no matter where I go, people know Purdue.”
Traveling the world as a Delta first officer
After instructing at Purdue, Etter returned to the airline industry to continue flying for Delta on its newest wide-body aircraft, the Airbus A350.
“There isn’t anywhere I would rather be,” he says. “It feels like it’s a big family. We’re all working together to get people to places safely.”
He’s honored to be a part of military-related flights, like a memorable dignified transfer from Korea to Minneapolis. The entire crew dedicated themselves to making the process as courteous as possible for the fallen soldier’s family. When the plane landed, everyone stood respectfully in the subzero weather until the escorts had completed the transfer to the awaiting ground team.
The unforgettable days and the routine flights are reminders for Etter that he’s chosen a career that’s meant for him.
“Everyone always says that if you can find a job you love, you won’t work a day in your life, and I feel like I’ve done that,” he says.
Raising the next generation of Boilermakers
Etter still goes to a lot of home games at Purdue. It’s a continuation of the family tradition — his wife and their five children are with him.
Along with picking up a love for Purdue and a passion for flying from his father, he’s also continuing his family’s legacy in farming. “I get to live here and farm what my dad, my uncle and my grandpa started,” he says. “It’s imperative that I bridge this to the next generation.”
Everyone always says that if you can find a job you love, you won’t work a day in your life, and I feel like I’ve done that.
Greg Etter
BS aviation administration ’02
As a farmer himself, Etter appreciates his employer’s agricultural roots. Delta actually started as the world’s first aerial crop-dusting organization. While flying and while farming, Etter applies the spirit of resilience that he strengthened at Purdue. Both endeavors require the attention to detail and adaptability he learned then.
“Purdue was rigorous. You want to make sure you’re growing from mistakes and learning how to be better,” he says. “One of my dad’s instructor pilots sent me a motivational letter when I started Air Force pilot training giving me the guiding principle of ‘seek perfection; accept excellence.’ That kind of mindset has carried me throughout my 22-year military career and my time with Delta Air Lines,” he says.
